According to a research report from CITIC Construction Investment, the software sector is currently undergoing a panic-induced, indiscriminate sell-off. This presents a unique opportunity for investors to capitalize on differentiated pricing strategies, taking into account the varying degrees of market barriers. CITIC Construction Investment advises an investment allocation strategy centered around the 'barrier-based offensive-defensive attributes' of companies:

• Firstly, prioritize investments in stocks with 'offensive barriers.' These are companies whose inherent barriers serve as the foundation for new growth avenues in the AI era.
• Secondly, keep a close watch on companies that are transitioning from a defensive to an offensive stance. These firms possess robust traditional barriers but need to demonstrate their ability to convert AI-related revenues effectively.
• Thirdly, steer clear of companies experiencing a rapid decline in their barriers, particularly those with low business complexity and shallow data layers, as they may struggle to adapt to market changes.

Moreover, investors should closely monitor the progress of collaborations between leading AI entities such as OpenAI and Anthropic with consulting firms. It's also crucial to track inflection points in AI pricing models and the growth of Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) among enterprise software companies, as these factors could significantly impact investment returns.